Help with Outboards?

[Lilcorky]

I'm going to purchace a new Sled soon. Narrowed the boat down to two. Either a Alumaweld Super V or a North River Delta V. Probley a 18 footer. My problem is what brand of motor.4 stroke or 2 stroke. What brand? Honda, Yamaha or Mercury. Is the Opti Max 135 by Mercury a good choice? The salesmen tell me this motor is E.P.A. approved for 2006 due to it's low omissions. Is that true? Lots of people say stay away from the 4 strokes.I'm hearing lots of bad reports about the Honda. North River swears by their 4 Stroke Yamaha. I really don't want to have to turn around and get a new motor in 5 years just so I can put my boat in the water. On the other hand I want to be able to take the boat out and not have to worry about getting a tow back to the boat landing. Any advise would be greatly appreciated I'm really frustated and confused.

[Pete]

There are some great discussion threads and resources at www.iboats.com ... worth checking out.

[HOGTIDE]

L. C.,

The 2006 EPA regulations put NO restrictions on previously 'grandfathered' 2 stroke engines. Full restrictions are being placed on engines built as of 2006. You can look this up on the EPA site if you need reassurance. I did. And, I printed the language off and filed it. This means if you choose to buy a 2 stroke today, you will not be impacted in the future.

It is obviously environmentally friendly to run a 4 stroke, but in my 'opinion', they just don't cut it when it comes to a jet drive. They donot produce sufficient rpm's.

New 4 strokes may work OK in prop applications, because you can add 'pitch' to your prop, taking advantage. of the additional 4 stroke torque and compensating for the lack of rpm. I don't think the problem belongs to the 4 stroke, as much as it does to the outboard pump's inability and inefficiency.

Mercury is always my choice. Many folks make great arguements and give solid testimony for Yamaha, and I believe them. I was just raised to believe an outboard should be BLACK.

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: HOGTIDE ]

[boater]

i would stay clear of the opti junk, they shut the production line down on those junks because to many were blowing up, kinda like the omc ficht. i`d say northriver probly gets a bigger discount on the yamaha`s so they are pushing them, they are good motors and so are honda`s, a few buddys i fish with have the honda`s and love them, have had no problems. i would stay clear of the opti junk, yamaha hdpi and a ficht, if you buy any of those models you are asking for major headaches.

[Pirate]

Cork,
I have 150 and 15 Yamahas that are both oil injected 2 strokes on a 19 foot NorthRiver. The 150 is a prop not a jet. If I were building the boat that you are, I would give serious thought to the 4 strokers. I would look at the Yamaha and Mercury 115's. If your looking at a jet, that's a bit different and someone else can give you that opinion. Best of luck.